Light... I don't mind the light
it's quiet in this attic, though it's cold.
The flare of sunrise at the dirty window
is all right. It's all right
the window's bright, but peaceful. I
heard traffic murmuring all night.
Once a squeal of swerving brakes—
the VA gave me stuff for nerves
to help me sleep. It didn't keep me
from waking, grabbing for a weapon
but there was no crash, and the flash
of headlights on the wall was faint.
I crept into the quiet corner and slept
again, and now it's light.
Only light. No noise. No screaming
bleeding piles of shattered stone and metal,
don't look underneath. No smell of death.
I breathe the dusty attic air and watch the light.
I'm hungry, but it's quiet here. Maybe one
more day without food, without fear
it's all right, watching shadows drift across
the floor with gifts of light and silence.
--image by Shane Gorski via Read Write Poem
Collection available! Knocking from Inside
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Attic Light
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7 comments:
I like how you move from an anonymous speaker to one that has lived with war - the repetition of sounds adds to the quality of fear and paranoia.
This reaches the gut and hangs in like a fearful tumor while it finds hope in one more day. Beautiful!
The mantra of things being alright keeps reality in check through out this poem. I like the realness of it.
Life on the edge with only light and silence to cling to. Your poem is an insightful journey into the soul, Aisha. Thank you for sharing. I hope the coming year brings many more creative insights your way and plenty of love and happiness!
Beautifully expressed sentiment, poignant yet with subtle clear dignity.
"I'm hungry, but it's quiet here. Maybe one
more day without food, without fear
it's all right..."
A soldier's prayer of sorts, and afterwards. There are ways to embrace seeming horrors in life that yet do not fall underfoot, make less of just what is. This poem is one. A touching insightful response to the prompt. Thank you.
Excellent view of someone at the edge, for whatever reason. The little rhymes and repetitions to bring in order, the need to touch your surroundings if only with your mind. And the overall need for peace.
like words that play with the mind and go to the pit of the stomach...your words did that for me.....thanks so much for sharing
This is haunting and beautiful. Thank you.
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